Sweden gives green light to gas pipelines in Baltic Sea

The Swedish government on Thursday gave the green light to the construction of two pipelines to transport natural gas from Russia to Germany through its economic zone in the Baltic Sea.

"This is an important decision according to the international right with consideration of the environmental concerns," Environment Minister Andreas Carlgren said at a press conference.

After an exhaustive process of consultation with states bordering the Baltic Sea, the concerns with birds, fishes and other concerns have been cleared and demands have been met, Carlgren said.

Nord Stream, a Russian-led consortium, is planning to build the pipeline to carry natural gas from Russia to Germany. The first delivery of gas will begin in 2011 from Viborg in Russia to Greifswald in Germany, the company said.

Some countries bordering the Baltic Sea have worried that the pipeline would pose a risk to the environment. The project requires the approval of Russia, Finland, Denmark, Germany and Sweden. Denmark approved the project two weeks ago.

Source: Xinhua